The man socialist activists are describing as "the only person to be prosecuted in connection with the `payments to politicians' tribunal" is due to appear before the Dublin District Court tomorrow. Dr Peadar O'Grady, a child psychiatrist and Socialist Workers' Party (SWP) activist, was arrested last May outside the Rathmines Shopping Centre while making an election address about corruption in politics and the Dunnes payments tribunal.
Dr O'Grady, who was standing as the SWP candidate in the Dublin South East constituency, was charged under the Public Order Act on May 17th and faces a charge of "offensive behaviour". He was also charged with an assault on a Garda sergeant inside Rathmines Garda station.
A statement from the Peadar O'Grady Defence Campaign said the alleged assault arose out of an attempt by Mr O'Grady to complain about the way he was treated while in the station.
Ms Cathy Bergin of the campaign said Dr O'Grady had been "vindicated" by Mr Justice McCracken's findings in the tribunal. She claimed the use of the Public Order Act to justify his arrest "is an attempt to intimidate political activists and a serious attack on basic civil liberties".
A demonstration in support of Dr O'Grady at Parnell Square on Saturday was supported by a number of trade unions.
Among those who spoke at the meeting were the journalist, Mr Vincent Browne, the Green Party TD, Mr John Gormley, and trade union activist Ms Carolann Duggan.
